News: Hot 97 Fires Cipha Sounds

Radio station Hot 97 has fired longtime host Cipha Sounds, less than a day after he criticized management on a podcast for the way it handled his removal as interim afternoon host.

Cipha Sounds, who had been with WQHT (97.1 FM) for 17 years, began hosting the 3-7 p.m. slot soon after Angie Martinez jumped to rival WWPR (105.1 FM) last summer.

The station announced last week it has hired Nessa Nitty as the permanent afternoon host, while Cipha would remain in other unspecified positions.

On Monday’s popular “Juan Epstein” podcast, talking with Hot-97 morning cohost Peter Rosenberg, Cipha said he was blindsided by his removal and wished he had been considered for the permanent position.

“Our corporate bosses don’t know me,” he said, adding that he didn’t know if he would remain with the station.

“After 17 years, I’m leaving Hot 97. I¹m changing my relationship status from ‘it¹s complicated’ to ‘single’. It¹s been an amazing ride – from intern to weekends to morning show host to fill Angie¹s seat in afternoons. Many years of incredible, life-changing experiences and enough amazing memories to last five lifetimes. The next move is already underway and I promise it’s going to be huge.”

Hot 97:

Effective immediately, Cipha Sounds is no longer with WQHT HOT 97 FM. We wish him well on his future endeavors.

– HHM

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